350 THE DOMESTIC SHEEP. 



these crusts so as to cause bleeding. It is well to soak the scabs 

 with 0:1 before washing; and to repeat the Avashing until the 

 crusts may be removed without leaving a sore. If the skin itches, 

 so that the sheep bites itself, the inflamed patches may be washed 

 with water slightly acidulated by sulphuric acid; a few drops to 

 ^ quart of water is sufficient. 



DISEASES OF THE PENIS. 



The ram is subject to diseases of the penis which may easily 

 destroy its value for service in the flock. These are first: 



Inflammation of this organ which may 1)3 simple or cancerous. 

 The former is treated by a few doses of four ounces of Epsom salts 

 and injection into the sheath of solution of chlorate of potash. 

 This may be injected by means of a syringe or a glass tube with 

 a rubber cap on the end by compression, of which when the tube 

 is inserted in the solution, the release causes the fluid to be drawn 

 up, and pressure on the cap or bulb, of course ejects the fluid 

 with considerable force. It may be well before applying this 

 solution to wash the passage with warm water with a few drops 

 of carbolic acid in it, or with carbolic soap to dissolve and remove 

 the coating of pus on the diseased parts. If the disease is can- 

 cerous the animal should be turned on its back and the organ 

 withdrawn and the diseased spots touched with solution of nitrate 

 of silver. This destroys the fungous growths after which the 

 chlorate of potash solution will complete the cure. 



Sometimes the ram by hard service contracts this cancerous 

 form of the disease which he communicates to the ewes and these 

 suffer from a similar inflammation of the vaginal passage. This is to 

 be treated in a similar way but using a slender elastic rod of whale- 

 bone with a soft sponge fastened securely to one end. This is 

 dipped into the solution of chlorate of potash and after washing 

 out the part with warm water and carbolic soap, it is passed into 

 the vaginal passage until the diseased membrane is well washed 

 with the solution. 



PARTURITION FEVER IN EWES. 



Ewes are sometimes liable to a serious disease of the blood, 

 consequent on the disturbance of the circulation due to the sep- 

 aration of the lamb from the dam. It is to be considered that in 

 its fetal life the lamb is supplied with blood for its life and 

 growth from the dam. After birth this leaves an excess of blood 

 to circulate in the ewe, and if she is in a plethoric condition this 

 increased circulation is a source of danger to her, and may be 

 productive of what is known as parturition fever. This is all 

 the more likely to happen with full fed ewes, especially if they 

 are on a rich young pasture. 



The symptoms occur on or about the second or third day after 

 the birth of the lamb. They consist of enlarged flank; a staring 

 wild appearance of the eyes; constipation; and deficient urine, 

 which has a deep color and an unusually strong sharp odor. 

 The ewe pants, strains, and the hind parts appear inflamed, 

 swollen and red, and are hot to the hand. 



